Happy 110th Birthday American International Toy Fair

The American International Toy Fair once again enlivened New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for the highly anticipated annual event that is owned and produced by the Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA). The Toy Fair may seem to be all about play, but there are absolutely no kids to be found on the Toy Fair's show floor. This event is all about business and buyers. The 110th annual American International Toy Fair opened on February 10th with a most official ribbon-cutting, a parade of familiar and first-time characters and an amazing performance by Broadway's Annie.Happy 110th Birthday American International Toy FairExhibitors made local and long distance ventures for the opportunity to showcase tried and true favorites, as well as innovative, new concepts to the industry. The TIA is major league, being recognized as the industry forerunner and "the authoritative voice of the North American toy industry". It's definitely an "A-Game" occasion, with all things considered, there's little time for child's play.

Photo Credit: Walsh PR

Trending themes represented in this year's toy fair incorporated the use of gadgetry and technology, promote physical activity and also address the needs of the exceptional individual. Each exhibitor emphasizing their niche in the market as being a unique and reinvented approach to facilitating child development through good old-fashioned play. To highlight a few of my many personal favorites, I was ready to roll away with the 4-in-1 Dream Smart-Trike (www.smart-trike.com). Smart-Trike made its American debut at the Toy Fair, an award-winning company that has a decade of success in the ride-on market. The target age group for the Smart-Trike is for little ones on-the-go as early as 10 months old through preschoolers. With patented Swivel Wheel technology and age appropriate safety restraints and enhancements for all ages and stages of an infant through preschool aged child's development, I admit to having "Mommy Guilt" for having deprived our 23 month-old for so long.Meal times can be fun times when you are using The Construction Line of utensils featured by award-winning Constructive Eating (www.constructiveeating.com). The Forklift Fork, Front Loader Spoon and Bulldozer Pusher and almost took me from business mode to Mommy mode. Yes, we need The Construction Line in our home! Then, of course, there's the need for something fun to drink. Got Milk? If you do then it is only logical that you've got got milk?Magic Milk Straws (www.magicstraws.com) too. Each straw contains lactose free, flavor-infused beads that make magic happen in any type of milk beverage as you drink. My intern gave the Cookies and Cream Magic Milk Straw a try and actually enjoyed drinking her first cup of milk in weeks. Look for the Limited Edition Dippin' Dots Birthday Cake Magic Milk Straws coming soon!

Photo Credit: niecyisms

Photo Credit: niecyisms

The bright and colorful atmosphere of ALEX Toys (www.alextoys.com) reflects the creativity that their product line inspires. Ravensburger USA (www.ravensburger.com) showcased the incredibly hands-on Science X Activity Kits, as well as the Aquarelle Watercolor sets, both available in Mini, Midi and Mega sizes.

Photo Credit: niecyisms

Busy minds and busy hands are certain to enjoy the creatively imaginative miniature replicas of animals, people, vehicles, plants, flowers and so much more arranged in museum-quality displays by Safari Ltd (www.safariltd.com). Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty (www.puttyworld.com) comes in an amazing array of dazzling colors and cosmic effects created to not only entertain, Thinking Putty improves motor skills and concentration ability in children and adults. CRA-Z-ART (www.cra-z-art.com) designed a captivating display of LiteBrix (www.superlitebrix.com) with LED lighting that is guaranteed to take constructive and engineering play to the next level.The American International Toy Fair showed the world exactly how fabulous 110 years in the toy industry can look. From one of the market-leaders, Cloud B with products that soothe infants with delicate lighting, comforting personalizable sounds and gentle materials to the energetic newcomer and kickstarter-funded Romotive (www.romotive.com) introducing Romo, a programmable robot powered by your smartphone, play has every base covered at the Toy Fair. Birthday, Holiday and "Just Because" toy shopping has once again given kids and kids-at-heart a plethora of winners to use to practice their persuasion techniques on those parent buyers. Toys may be for child's play, but in reality, it's all about business and buyers.

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